James uses a unique technique. His works are mainly done on scraperboard, which originated in the 19th century in Britain and France. Masonite is covered with a white clay substance (clay and white acrylic mix) and then painted over with ink. Once dry, the ink is scraped off with razor blades and sharp knives, almost like a traditional etching.

From there he uses a combination of watered-down inks and aerosol cans and, again, scratches the colour back. It's very graphic. Though it’s an old-fashioned technique, the aerosol gives it a modern spin to a traditional glaze. The result is very detailed with a distinctive look.

James started as a Cartoonist. His pen and ink drawings use cross-hatching, an aesthetic he now incorporates into his other work.

Developmentally, from a young age James was heavily influenced by Australian artists Norman Lindsay and John Spooner; irrespective of era or context, both are able to create depth and form through altering the quality of line.

Many of James' pen and ink drawings also feature the 'aerosol' technique seen in his scraper boards, contrasting the direct strokes of the hatching.